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Some 175 guests attended a fundraising ball in aid of the Lincolnshire Bomber Command Memorial on May 16, raising £35,060 for the project.

The Electric Ball at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel was hosted shortly after the Bomber Command Memorial Trust showcased the latest designs for the memorial park, which will stand on Canwick Hill in Lincoln.

The auction lot list featured experiences with the RAF Falcons and the Red Arrows at Waddington Air Show, a day recording with a London-based music producer who has worked with Ed Sheeran, and a luxury stay in Dubai and Marjan Island.

The showcase lot, a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Canada to fly in the Canadian Lancaster, was auctioned for £15,000.

The evening saw the initial fundraising target of £25,611 smashed in a bid to move the project forward.

Receiving the cheque was Tony Worth, Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire and Chairman of the Lincolnshire Bomber Command Trust.

He said: “The LBCM Trust is enormously grateful to Doubletree by Hilton Lincoln for the fantastic event held on May 16 to raise funds for the project.

“The money raised will help contribute to delivering a lasting tribute to the bravery of those who served in Bomber Command, from all over the world, and ensure that generations to come can learn about the contribution to the war effort made by them.”

The evening was hosted by TV personality Gethin Jones, who said: “I am privileged to be part of this wonderful event to remember the devastating number of aircrew and ground crew who lost their lives as part of the RAF Bomber Command.

“It was sure to be an emotive evening, so close to the home of where the majority of these brave and courageous people were based. They shall never be forgotten”.

The evening was supported by a number of local businesses including Ruddocks, Stuart Wilde Photography, Flowers by Suzanne, Peachy Productions, Ambience Venue Styling and Bourne Textiles.